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CIAC vs Perfect Aire: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CIAC model beats 50% and a typical Perfect Aire model 56%. Perfect Aire rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

CIAC

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

21 models listed

Perfect Aire

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

21 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FCIAC: Beats 64%Perfect Aire: Beats 43%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCIAC: Beats 37%Perfect Aire: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CIAC: Beats 54%Perfect Aire: Beats 35%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CIAC: Beats 45%Perfect Aire: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CIAC: Beats 39%Perfect Aire: Beats 47%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    CIAC
    48%
    Perfect Aire
    71%

  • Xcel CC

    CIAC
    24%
    Perfect Aire
    71%

  • CEE Advanced

    CIAC
    0%
    Perfect Aire
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CIAC
    0%
    Perfect Aire
    48%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CIAC

  1. 1CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX009-C3N1HCIAC1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.3score / 100

Perfect Aire

  1. 13PAMSHQCO09with ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHQCW09Perfect AireAlso listed as UB1MSHQCO091 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    62.1score / 100
  2. 23PAMSHHQC18-MZO2Perfect AireAlso listed as UB1MSHHQC18-MZO21.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.0score / 100
  3. 33PAMSHQCO12with ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHQCW12Perfect AireAlso listed as UB1MSHQCO121 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.9score / 100

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

Open the advanced view